Several local legislators took money from taxi cab lobby to help ban ride-sharing

Chicago's taxi cab cartel donated $180,750 to 61 state legislators in 2014-15, including State Reps. Michael Zalewski (D-Riverside), Silviana Tabares (D-Lyons) and Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and state Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Cicero), encouraging them to help preserve their traditional monopoly by banning ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft in Illinois.

Durkin received $15,000; Zalewski received $3,000; Sandoval received $10,000; and Tabares received $500.

The campaign donations lead to Zalewski and Durkin creating a bill, which was vetoed by then-Gov. Pat Quinn, that would have regulated Uber and Lyft out of existence in Illinois.

Chicago’s taxi cab cartel spread more than $180,000 in campaign donations around Springfield, amassing a who’s who of legislative allies.

Their first check -- for $15,000 -- went to Durkin. Their second, for $50,000, went to Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago)